Rhine Crossing - Operation PlunderMarch 1945

The handwritten caption reads "[Beating the] Retreat by the 51st Highland Division massed Pipes & Drums at Nijmegen, 2nd March 1945, in commemoration of losses in Ardennes and Reichswald"The photo was taken at Goffert Stadion by B. van Wulfften Palthe, a Dutch Interpreter with Corps. Tolken attached to 152 Brig.

In preparation for the Rhine crossing the Division moved to a concentration area in Roermond and Nijmegen, here there was time for relaxation, reunions and several beating retreats took place (see photos). The Northants Yeomanry who had been away carrying out amphibious training with their Buffalo (amphibious armoured vehicles) rejoined the Division.

"Notes on Town Clearing", written by Lt Col JA GRANT-PETERKIN, DSO, O.C., 1 GORDONS, on the experiences of a Battalion which took part in clearing two large towns, GENNEP and GOCH, against a determined and organised enemy...

The plan for the Rhine crossing required a two corps frontage, 30 Corps on the left and 12 Corps on the right. Each would be lead by one of the three Scottish Divisions, the 51st in the case of 30 Corps and the 15th Scottish Division in that of 12 Corps. In addition on the extreme south were the 1st Commando Brigade.

THE DIVISIONAL PLAN

The Division would attack two brigades up with 154 Brigade on the left and 153 Brigade on the right with 152 Brigade behind 153 Brigade and the 9th Canadian Brigade on the left flank. The brigade tasks were:

154 Brigade. To hold the east bank of the Rhine as far north as Wardmannshof and to capture the villages of Klein Esserden, Speldrop and Bienen. They were then to advance north to Millengen and Grietherbosch.To conduct this latter task the Highland Light Infantry of Canada from the 9th Canadian Brigade would be under command.

153 Brigade. To capture the village of Esserden, block the approaches to Rees from the north, north east and east, take Rees and then exploit north on the Rees-Isselburg road. For this they would have the 2nd Seaforths from 152 Brigade under command.

152 Brigade (less 2nd Seaforths). To capture Mittelburg, Groin and Haldern and advance north on the Haldern - Isselburg road.

The Divisional crossing began at 2100hrs. The time taken to cross the River was little more than two and a half minutes but it seemed longer to the exposed troops. Never the less the lead battalions of 154 Brigade crossed with few casualties and secured their initial objectives but their third battalion, 1 Black Watch, met very stiff resistance but by dawn had advanced to Speldrop.

On the right 153 Brigade's leading battalions crossed and established a bridgehead either side of Rees, although 5/7th Gordons on the right having crossed the Rhine were caught in the island formed by the Alter Rhine and pinned down. 1 Gordons in depth were committed to clearing through Rees.

Just before midnight 152 Brigade began crossing. Advancing on Mittenburg they were held up by an antitank ditch. Their third battalion, the 5th Seaforths, were slow to cross as craft were now limited as a result of losses but they crossed at dawn (see photos) and moved up to Esserden under heavy shelling.

The Germans now reinforced the 8th Parachute Division in the Divisional sector with 15th Panzer Grenadier Division. 1 Black Watch were forced out of Kleinesserden and 154 brigade withstood a number of counterattacks. 152 Brigade also had to withstand these counter attacks but, assisted by a squadron of Staffordshire Yeomanry, they managed to cross the antitank ditch that had held them up. Middleburg and Groin were taken and Rees cleared.

The breakout now commenced with the Division pushing northeast to Anholt and Isselburg.

On 31 March the Commandeer of the 2nd Army wrote to the Division:

"Now that the Battle of the Rhine has been won, and the breakout from the bridgehead is well under way, I would like to give you and your magnificent Division my very sincere congratulations. Yours was one of the two divisions which carried out the assault across the river, defeated the enemy on the other side, and paved the way for all that followed. A great achievement - and I am sure you will all be very proud of it."

Sadly, among the casualties was the divisional commander, Major General T. G. Rennie, CB., D.S.O., M.B.E., was killed by a shell.

Appreciation of Major General T. G. Rennie, C.B., D.S.O., M.B.E. written on 31 March by the Commandeer of the 2nd Army, Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey. Major General Rennie was killed by a shell during Operation Plunder - The crossing of the Rhine. March 1945.